The present invention provides a method for producing an optically active β-hydroxy ester compound represented by the general formula: wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group and the like, R2 represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group different from R1, which is represented by the general formula: wherein the ring may be substituted and the like, R3 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group and the like, R4 and R5 represent, the same or different, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and the like, the symbol “*” represents an optically active center, which comprises reacting in the presence of a cinchona alkaloid and the like a compound represented by the general formula: wherein R1 and R2are as defined above with a compound represented by the general formula: wherein R3, R4and R5 are as defined above, and X is a halogen atom.